The red brick gleams in the afternoon sun. This is St Katharina in Dusseldorf-Gerresheim.
St Katharina wasn’t always this striking modern church. Its story begins much earlier. In 1903 plans were made for a church to serve the workers in southern Gerresheim. That first church soon proved too small. By 1955 it needed serious renovations. A decision was made to build a larger church. Thus was born the St Katharina we see today.
Architect Heinrich Boll designed this masterpiece. Completed between 1964 and 1966 it boasts a unique parabolic shape. Boll envisioned it as a ship a symbol of faith navigating life’s journey. The rectangular windows let in ample light. The red brick walls stand strong under a gable roof. The roof’s peak aligns perfectly with the parabola’s apex a subtle yet striking design feature.
A campanile a freestanding bell tower stands a short distance from the main church. It too is red brick with a gable roof mirroring the main structure’s design. It’s a beautiful example of architectural harmony.
But St Katharina’s story extends beyond architecture. The Cologne Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki was a trainee and later a deacon in this very parish. And there’s a poignant reminder of the past. Father Franz Boehm served here from 1917 to 1923 before tragically perishing in Dachau concentration camp. His memory remains an integral part of St Katharina’s history.
A remarkable organ built in 1970 by Romanus Seifert & Sohn adds to the church’s splendor. This impressive instrument features 21 registers across two manuals and a pedalboard. The mechanical action and electric stop action offer a unique blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern technology. Even the chapel houses a smaller organ built around 1980.
St Katharina is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of a community. It’s a place where history echoes in the red brick and the sounds of the organ its unique shape a reminder of its unique history. It’s a place you won’t soon forget.